Fresno Philharmonic

Sameer Patel is the first of six candidates hoping to become the next conductor and musical director of the Fresno Philharmonic . The current Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony, Patel brings a youthful passion to his work, and numerous honors, including the Solti Foundation’s U.S. 2016 Career Assistance Award. His artistry will be on display at the Saroyan Theater this weekend as the leads the orchestra in a concert featuring works by Mozart, Sibelius and Jonathan Leshnoff. Patel...

This week on Valley Edition Reporter Kerry Klein takes a look at methane emitted from dairy farms in Central California and how it plays into climate change. We also hear from KVPR's Jeffrey Hess about cap and trade in Fresno. Later we hear from Author Miriam Pawel on Cal Humanties upcoming forum "Farmworker Movement in California: From Chavez Onwards." Ending the show we hear from Steven Wilson with the Fresno Philharmonic about the upcoming season and their search for a new conductor.

Maestro Theodore Kuchar is set to conduct his final Masterworks Concert for the Fresno Philharmonic this weekend, after 15 years as the orchestra's musical director. We spoke with him and mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor about this weekend's concert of works by Dvorak, Prokofiev, and Kalinnikov.

This week award winning pianist Sergei Babayan will grace the stage twice in Fresno. The Armenian-American pianist was interviewed by Valley Edition Host Joe Moore about his creative process and his upcoming performances in the region. Babayan performs Wednesday March 9 at 8 p.m. at the Fresno State Concert Hall for a Philip Lorenz Memorial Keyboard Concert . His second performance will be held at the Saroyan Theatre for the Fresno Philharmonic Sunday March 13 at 3 p.m. Click play above to...

The Fresno Philharmonic presents a concert dedicated to the music of composer Johannes Brahms this weekend, and Maestro Theodore Kuchar joined us Friday to talk about the composer and guest artist Noah Bendix-Balgley. From the technical brilliance of his concerto for violin, to the grand scope of his Symphony No. 1 in C minor, to the popularity of his Hungarian Dances, Kuchar discusses the many reasons why Brahms remains a highpoint in the classical repertoire.

The Fresno Philharmonic will soon be looking for a new conductor and musical director. Theodore Kuchar , who has led the orchestra for the past 13 seasons announced on Thursday that he plans to step down following the conclusion of the 2015-2016 season. In a written statement Kuchar praised the orchestra's performances: Kuchar: "I have no reservation in saying that the Fresno Philharmonic and I have often delivered performances that are not typical of a regional American orchestra but...

This week on Valley Edition we are joined by Fresno State Geography Lecturer and Reedley College Professor Sean Boyd for a conversation about the rain the region received last week and what Valley residents should expect weather-wise in the months to come. Also on the program, VE Host Joe Moore is joined by Fresno Bee Reporter Marc Benjamin for a conversation about the closure of the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino, the tribal dispute, arrests and more. Later, Richard Collins, the Dean of...

The Fresno Philharmonic begins its 61 st season this weekend. This year the orchestra will feature a diverse mix of concerts, with programs dedicated to Armenian contributions to classical music, and a complete cycle of Beethoven’s five piano concertos. It was also supposed to include a performance this weekend by one of the world’s most acclaimed digeridoo artists William Barton, but there has been a last minute change. The Philharmonic’s executive director Stephen Wilson joins KVPR's Ezra...

In this week's program we’ll talk about a water shortage that has left a whole Valley community waterless. FM89 reporter Diana Aguilera tells the story of Measure Z and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. We'll also discuss the future of the Fresno Grizzlies . Last week the team lost its longtime partnership with the San Francisco Giants, and talk of a possible sale and new lease is swirling around city hall. We’ll talk to Grizzlies Vice President Derek Franks , Grizzlies Media Relations Coordinator Ryan...

This weekend the Fresno Philharmonic brings local audiences a truly unique concert – one that mixes sounds of "East and West," featuring pipa soloist Wu Man. The Chinese native will perform the Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra by Academy Award winning composer Tan Dun, who is best best known in the U.S. for his score for the film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. The orchestra will also perform two symphonies by Beethoven. The pipa is a traditional Chinese instrument that is sometimes compared to...